30 people have died so far in the aftermath of the dera chief Ram Rahim’s conviction. Restrictions have been put in parts of Punjab and Haryana. Section 144 has been imposed in 11 districts of Delhi.

punjabUpdated: Aug 25, 2017 22:48 IST

HT Correspondents

Hindustan Times, Chandigarh

A security personnel walks past burning vehicles set alight by rioting followers of religious leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim of Dera Sacha Sauda who was convicted of rape in Panchkula on August 25. (AFP)

A CBI special court in Panchkula held Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh guilty of raping his female followers. Since Wednesday, parts of Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh have been under a security lockdown as 200,000 supporters of Ram Rahim massed in Panchkula ahead of the verdict. Mobile internet and data services have been suspended in Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh for 72 hours.

Congress reaction

Congress president, Sonia Gandhi has expressed grave concern and shock at the unabated violence in Panchkula and other parts of Haryana. Gandhi appealed to everyone to maintain peace and harmony. She has spoken to the Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh and has asked the govt of Haryana and UT Chandigarh to ensure safety and security of all citizens .

7:03pm: Toll in Panchkula violence rises to 29 —17 referred to PGIMER in Chandigarh succumb to injuries, 7 die in Panchkula general hospital, four referred to Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, after sustaining injuries in Panchkula also succumb to injuries, one killed in Sirsa. Police authorities confirmed the toll.

6.50pm: Manjit Singh GK, president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DSGMC), says: “Before conviction, Gurmeet Ram Rahim had said he had full faith in the judiciary. The way his followers have gone on the rampage, it seems they don’t have any.”

Giani Gurbachan Singh, jathedar of Sikh temporal seat Akal Takht issued says: “People of all communities should maintain peace and not indulge in any kind of violence. Managements should guard gurdwaras round the clock to prevent any untoward incident. Sikhs should be cautious about the rumours spread by mischievous elements. Sikh organisations and societies have planned religious functions and procession in wake of marriage anniversary of Guru Nanak in Kapurthala and Gurdaspur districts; organisers should be cautious. Sikhs should conduct Akhand Paths only inside gurdwaras and not along roads.”

Meanwhile, Vineet Joshi, Punjab BJP leader, said, “Supporters of the dera came from Sangrur and Malwa areas of Punjab. Why did the Punjab government allow them to come to Haryana? This is a really unusual situation which we have not seen for 25 years. Such deployment of security was seen only in days of terrorism.”

A follower of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh pleads for his safety after being hit with a stick during clashes between the controversial guru's followers and security forces in Panchkula on August 25, 2017. The clashes broke out after a court convicted the dera head of raping two of his followers.
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AFP
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Vehicles set alight by Dera Sacha Sauda sect members burn in the streets of Panchkula on Friday
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AP
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Followers of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh throw stones at security forces during clashes after the controversial guru was convicted of rape in Panchkula on August 25.
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AFP
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Indian security personnel looks at burning vehicles set alight by rioting followers of the religious leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim convicted of rape in Panchkula on August 25.
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AFP
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5:12 pm: Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh blames Haryana government for “allowing gathering of dera followers in large numbers in Panchkula”. Says curfew imposed in five districts of Punjab as a “precautionary measure”.

5:11 pm: Mob being pushed out of Panchkula, towards Zirakpur and Punjab.

5:08 pm: Security of Rohtak handed over to CRPF. Rohtak was the centre of widespread Jat quota violence in February 2016.

5.04 pm: Three more deaths confirmed in Panchkula, where the dera chief was declared guilty in rape case; death toll now eight.

3:38 pm: Now, violence reported from Panchkula’s Sector-4. Dera followers resort to vandalising cars and other vehicles. Police resort to tear gas shelling and water cannons to control the violent mob.

2:38 pm: Dera followers rush towards the court complex, gather at the barricading in huge numbers and start “celebrations” claiming the dera chief has been acquitted!

2:35 pm: Hushed silence in Panchkula as thousands of Dera followers sat quietly in the open as it rained at Hafed Chowk adjoining Sector 4, awaiting verdict in the rape trial against Ram Rahim Singh on Friday afternoon.

2:19 pm: After 200 hearings spread over 10 years and numerous stay orders of higher courts in between, the CBI special trial court in Panchkula is set to decide the fate of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

1: 18 pm: Ram Rahim’s foray into the world of cinema as the ‘Messenger of God’ was an attempt to give him a larger-than-life image.

1:01 pm: Since the dera has a huge following, Ram Rahim enjoys tremendous political clout. Politicians of all shades call on the dera head to seek his “blessings” during the elections and the dera obliges them whole-heartedly.

12:20 pm: Security around the court complex in Panchkula further beefed up. BSF personnel on the roads.

12:14 pm: Haryana IG KK Rao says no unauthorised person will be allowed inside court in Panchkula. He further refused to reveal the surveillance plan citing security reasons. On being asked about the number of cars in the cavalcade, he refused to comment.

11: 38 am: Dera followers take to the highway in Panchkula, cheering, dancing and waiting for the Dera chief. They believe Ram Rahim will meet them today.

11:30 am: Thousands of dera followers line Kaithal-Kurukshetra highway for a ‘glimpse of Pitaji’. The dera head is expected to cross the highway around 12:30 pm. Police struggling to control crowds, which are otherwise peaceful.

10:56 am: “Flag march in Panchkula soon. Only two cars from Ram Rahim’s convoy will be allowed to enter Panchkula,” the Haryana DGP said.

10: 52 am: Haryana DGP BS Sandhu talks to the media. “Presently, there is peace in Haryana. The dera chief has left Sirsa and is in police protection. He will come straight to court. 38 additional companies of paramilitary forces have been called in since last night. Army is on standby,” he said.

9 am: “Ram Rahim to travel for his appearance at the Panchkula CBI court by road,” Dera spokesperson Aditya Insan has confirmed. He is expected to leave by 10 am and will be travelling through Haryana.

August 25, 8:45 am: Panchkula now a virtual fortress. Roads deserted as people wary of venturing out. An uneasy calm prevails.